Meet the Academy Tutor Team!

Over the coming weeks we will be introducing our Academy trainers to you. First off the blocks is Stuart Mutch who, with over 30 years in the field of health and safety, is well versed in delivering bespoke consultancy and training. We asked Stuart a series of questions to find out what lies behind his self-motivated and pragmatic style.......he said:

When not training I am most likely to be found.....banging out 60’s and 70’s music in social clubs up and down the country and have been doing for more years than I care to remember. Over the years have rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names of that era including: The Move, The Fortunes, Sailor, Wayne Fontana and Status Quo. When I’m not doing music you may see me pushing a lawn mower.

If I hadn’t become a tutor I would have had a career.....as a professional rock star or at least part of a well known group.

The most challenging delegate I have ever taught said to me......(after the session) "I didn’t really want to be here, my gaffer sent me, but you made it so easy on the ear and so very interesting, thanks a lot.”

At another course a supervisor from a well known edge of town retailer arrived on a manual handling course wearing open toe sandals and no socks. When I invited the delegates to write what they liked to be called on their name-cards, he wrote “Boutros Boutros-Ghali” who was the erstwhile Secretary General of United Nations. In addition, for the first half hour, he sat with his legs crossed, arms folded looking down at the desk (among the best body language signs of disinterest ). That was his little way of telling me he didn’t want to be there. Using my skills and experience he came round and went on to enjoy his inclusion and passed the exam at the end.

My ideal training location/venue would be.... delivering training on the peak of Scafell Pike overlooking the most beautiful mountain range in Europe. I used to be an Outward Bound Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor in my mis-spent youth at Eskdale, and know of over 50 peaks in excess of 2,000 feet each which is something you won’t find in the tourist guide. There may some difficulty getting electricity for the PowerPoint unless I could plug into a nearby currant bush!

The most bizarre health and safety myth I have heard is.... we all have heard so many including “It’s all common sense”, “I’m insured anyway”, “It doesn’t make me profit so why should I bother”. The most memorable myth was socially, when I was introduced to the MD of a company employing 300 people when he raised health and safety as a talking point and exclaimed “I ain’t that bothered because the Government tell us the prisons are all full anyway."

I keep delegates engaged by....a good balance of knowledge and skills tempered with some humour. Health and safety can be very dry but using my entertaining skills and memorable anecdotes I bring it alive. I always make a point of reading every feedback form to make sure I keep my own standards up to scratch.

In five years time I want to be....firstly alive and still bashing out my music, probably creeping into the 80’s by then. In addition I have a great deal of knowledge and experience which I will always be pleased to pass on to other people if it improves their existence.

Meet Stuart and other members of our Academy tutor team by registering for one of our courses, or by calling Linda Williams, Head of Academy, to discuss your in-house training requirement. Call on 01296 415715 or click www.sypol.com/academy